Friday 11 April 2014

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 34

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I had an average week last week with five correct outcomes and five incorrect, but no perfect scorelines. It means I stay seventh in my predictions league and I've resigned myself to finishing there this season.  Here's a look at how the top 10 in my predictions league stands.


PositionPlayer NamePTSTWBB
NC 1 (1)  Karl-Yngve Lund2195+6520
NC 2 (2)  Wayne Hubbard2090+600
NC 3 (3)  MickTheGooner2015+250
NC 4 (4)  Abu K1985+2520
NC 5 (5)  KildareGunner1875-100
NC 6 (6)  Paul Kingston1830+7020
NC 7 (7)  Michael Sheehy1680+4020
NC 8 (8)  goonerdhanesh1510+515
NC 9 (9)  Sulabh121000
NC 10 (10)  Gaurav Ahuja88500

With the FA Cup semi finals this weekend there is no game for Hull or United and four teams get to play twice as they make up some of their games in hand. It means fantasy manages with City, Everton, Sunderland and Palace players in their teams will be at an advantage this week.  

Saturday April 12

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

3.07pm BST, Selhurst Park, London

Palace got a very good win away to Carrdiff last week and those three points might just be enough to secure their Premier League place for next season. They're seven points clear of the bottom three and a win in this game would surely spell safety for them. They have won seven of their 16 home games and no other team in the bottom half of the table has won more.

Palace defenders are well worth having for fantasy managers at home in particular as their players play twice this week.

Villa have lost their last three games in a row and conceded 10 goals in the process. They're level on points with Palace and like their opponents a win in this game would probably see them safe for another season. They have only lost six of their 17 away games and have taken as points away as at home.

With Christian Benteke injured it's hard to see any Villa players to recommend to fantasy managers.

I think Palace's defensive strength and recent form will give them the edge in this game.

Prediction: 1-0

Fulham v Norwich City

3.07pm BST, Craven Cottage, London

Fulham got a very important win away to Villa last week and they have taken six points from their last four games. They're in the relegation zone, but a win over Norwich would see them move to within two points of their opponents and the relative safety of 16th place. Their have lost more home games than any other team though and have conceded the most goals at home too.

Despite their recent improvement I still can't see any Fulham players to interest fantasy managers.

Norwich sacked Chris Hughton this week after their loss at home to West Brom and they need to take something from this game with four very hard games to follow. They have lost their last six away games in a row and conceded 17 goals in the process. Relegation is a very real possibility for them and failure to get at least a draw in this game could mean the worst.

I can't see any Norwich players to choose for fantasy managers particularly when they're away from home.

I think Fulham might just squeeze a narrow victory in this relegation six-pointer.

Prediction: 2-1

Southampton v Cardiff City

3.07pm BST, St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton 

Southampton have only lost four of their 16 home games and they're a match for any team on their home patch. They won their last two home games scoring eight goals in the process and they will feel they can put a few past Cardiff too. 

With Jay Rodriguez injured the best fantasy choices in the Southampton team are Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert.

Cardiff are six points from safety with five games left and have only taken one point in their last four games. The home defeat to Palace last week was a huge blow and they have conceded 14 goals in those last four games. They have only won once in 16 away games and three of their remaining fixtures are away from home.

Jordan Mutch has done well for fantasy managers in recent weeks and might still finish the season strongly despite their troubles. 

I can't see anything other than a good win for Southampton in this game.

Prediction: 3-1

Stoke City v Newcastle United

3.07pm BST, Britannia Stadium, Stoke

Stoke lost at Chelsea last week and it was their first defeat in six games. That run has seen them move into the top half of the table and safe from relegation worries too. They have only lost two of their 16 home home games and have taken some very big scalps at home. 

Peter Odemwingie has been the Stoke player in the best form in recent weeks.

Newcastle have lost 10 of their last 15 games and failed to score in 11 of those games. In fact they have won every game they have scored in during that run, but they only scored in four games. They have won seven of their 16 away games, but most of those victories came last year.

Loric Remy is the only Newcastle player who might shine for fantasy managers.

I think Stoke will be more than good enough at home to take the three points.

Prediction: 2-0

Sunderland v Everton

3.07pm BST, Stadium of Light, Sunderland 

Sunderland have only taken one point in their last seven games and only managed to score four goals in those games. They're rock bottom of the table and seven points from safety with seven games to go and it looks like they are destined for the drop. If they're going to have a chance of staying up they need points now and their next three games are all against teams in the top five.

Vito Mannone and Adam Johnson have done well for fantasy managers, but Sunderland players might be better off avoided despite playing twice this week.

Everton have won their last six games in a row and scored 15 goals in the process. Their win over Arsenal last week saw them move to within a point of fourth place with a game in hand and keep their Champions League dream alive. They have only won six of their 16 away games, but only Chelsea have conceded less goals away from home.

With two games this week Everton players are at a premium and the best of them are probably Kevin Mirallas, Romelu Lukaku, Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines and maybe even Steven Naismith.

I think Everton will continue their excellent run with their seventh win in a row.

Prediction: 1-3

West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur 

3.07pm BST, The Hawthorns, Birmingham 

West Brom have taken seven points from their last four games to move five points clear of the relegation zone. They have only lost five of their 16 home games, but have drawn far too many for their own good. They have some tough games coming up and it could be touch and go whether they manage to stay up or not.

Morgan Analfitano has been the star player in the last couple of games for West Brom and is probably the best fantasy choice in the West Brom team.

Spurs are five points outside the top four with five games remaining and their most likely target is to finish in a Europa League spot. They have won nine of their 16 away games, but have lost their last three on the road with no goals scored and nine conceded in those games. 

Christian Eriksen and Emmanuel Adebayor could be the Spurs players to have with five winnable games left to play.

I think this could well end in yet another draw for West Brom.

Prediction: 1-1

Sunday April 13

Liverpool v Manchester City

13.37pm BST, Anfield, Liverpool

Liverpool are on top of the league with five games to go and will be champions if they win all five of those games no matter what the chasing pack do. They have won their last nine league games in a row and have won 14 of their 16 home games. This game and their next home one against Chelsea will more than likely be their make or break games. 

Luis Suarez is the star fantasy player in the Liverpool team but might not be the best choice as captain this week as they only have one game. Both Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge are in excellent form too and have to be considered.

City have taken 17 points in their last seven games and are four points behind Liverpool with two games in hand. If they win this game they will have their fate in their own hands and a draw wouldn't be a bad result for them either. They have won eight and lost four of their 16 away games with only Liverpool and United scoring more on the road.

David Silva, Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta are all very good fantasy choices with City playing twice this week and Eden Dzeko is in good form too.

I think this will be a very close game and will more than likely end in a draw.

Prediction: 2-2

Swansea City v Chelsea

4.07pm BST, Liberty Stadium, Swansea

Swansea have only won three of their last 19 league games and are six points above the bottom three with five games left. They have only won five of their 16 home games, but only four teams have scored more home goals than them. They will do well to get anything from this game though and the end of the season can't come quickly enough for them.

Wilfried Bony is the Swansea player most like to succeed for fantasy managers at the moment.

Chelsea left it late but won through to the Champions League semi finals on Tuesday night and their confidence must be high as a result. Despite some very good home form they have lost their last two away games to Villa and Palace and have to reverse that trend. They have only won seven of their 16 away games though despite having the best defensive record away from home.

The best Chelsea players for fantasy managers are Eden Hazard and John Terry but they're both doubtful for this game which means their other defenders should be considered. 

I think Chelsea will be too strong for a Swansea team who have struggled for results recently. 

Prediction: 1-3

Tuesday April 15

Arsenal v West Ham United

7.45pm BST, Emirates Stadium, London

Arsenal are on an awful run of form at the moment and fourth place is no longer in their own hands. They have only taking 13 points in their last 11 games and haven't won at all in their last four games. They are unbeaten at home since the opening day though and their hopes in this game could depend on how their FA Cup semi final goes on Saturday.

With so many injured players in the Arsenal squad it's hard to know which ones to pick for fantasy managers.

West Ham have been in good form recently and put up a good fight against the league leaders last week in a 2-1 defeat. They're 10 points above the drop zone with five games to go and should have no more relegation worries this season. Despite only winning four of their 16 away games only Chelsea and Everton have conceded less goals away from home.

Andy Carroll and Mark Noble have been the West Ham players in the best form for fantasy managers recently.

I think Arsenal will take the three points, but West Ham will give them a real run for their money.

Prediction: 2-1

Wednesday April 16

Everton v Crystal Palace

7.45pm BST, Goodison Park, Liverpool

Everton get to play their game in hand and if all goes well they could be fourth with four games left to play. They have some tough games coming up though and their top four chances could be decided by the home games against the two Manchester clubs and their trip to Southampton. They have only lost once in their 16 home games and that home form needs to hold up.

The Everton players mentioned above are all good fantasy selections.

Palace have lost 11 of their 16 away games and they're the lowest scorers on the road with only nine goals. They did get three away from home to Cardiff last week, but Everton will be a lot tougher to get a result against.

With Palace away from home their players might not be the best fantasy choices.

I think Everton will be more than good enough at home to get the win.

Prediction: 2-0

Manchester City v Sunderland 

7.45pm BST, Etihad Stadium, Manchester 

City have a fantastic home record with 14 wins in 15 games and they're the highest scorers at home too. Only Chelsea have a better defensive record at home than City and they will feel they can put a lot of goals past Sunderland in this game. It's unlikely that the league will come down to goal difference, but if it does City have an advantage.

The City players I mentioned above all have to be considered and Sergio Aguero is a must when he returns from injury.

Sunderland have taken one more point away from home than at home, but they have only won three of their 16 away games. Relegation looks to be almost a certainty for them and this game could go very badly if they're not careful.

This might not be an ideal game for fantasy managers to have Sunderland players in their teams.

I can't see anything other than a resounding City win in this game.

Prediction: 4-0

That's it for this week.

See you next week.



1 comment:

  1. This is an awesome post. I think it is very useful for all of us.This sharing concept is a good way to enhance the knowledge pool about football. Thank you very much for this post. Waiting for the next.
    premier league live

    ReplyDelete